Protests over Korea-U.S. movie deal increase

Moviemakers, fans
fear pact will hinder
making of local films

SEOUL -- A deal between the U.S. and South Korea in which the Korean film industry served as a bargaining chip has stirred a small but vocal outcry against any weakening of Korea's cinema.

Hundreds of Korean movie fans joined dozens of actors and producers to protest the government's decision to cut in half the amount of time that theaters must show Korean-made movies, saying the action will harm the country's diverse and thriving entertainment industry.